# Aggregate Calculator

Calculate aggregate volume and weight for construction fill, road base, and drainage. Get cubic yards and tons by type. Free aggregate calculator.

## What this calculates

Whether you are building a road base, backfilling a trench, or laying drainage stone, you need to know how much aggregate to order. Enter your area dimensions and depth, pick the aggregate type, and this calculator gives you the volume in cubic yards and weight in tons. Most suppliers sell by the ton, so that is the number to bring to the yard.

## Inputs

- **Length** (ft) — min 0
- **Width** (ft) — min 0
- **Depth** (in) — min 0, max 48 — Road base: 4-8 in, backfill: 6-12 in, drainage: 12-24 in
- **Aggregate Type** — options: Crushed Stone (#57), Gravel (Pea / River), Road Base (Crusher Run), Sand & Gravel Mix, Riprap / Large Stone — Different aggregates have different densities
- **Price Per Ton** ($) — min 0

## Outputs

- **Coverage Area** (ft²)
- **Volume** (ft³)
- **Volume** (yd³)
- **Weight** (tons) — Order this amount from a supplier
- **Estimated Cost** — formatted as currency

## Details

Aggregate density varies by type and gradation. Crushed stone (#57) weighs about 100 lb/ft³ (2,700 lb/yd³). Crusher run (road base) is denser at 110 lb/ft³ because the mix of fines and stone compacts tightly. Pea gravel is lighter at 96 lb/ft³ due to round shapes leaving more air voids. Riprap (large stone for erosion control) is the least dense at about 90 lb/ft³ because of large voids between pieces.

Common aggregate sizes by number: #57 (3/4 to 1 inch) for driveways and drainage, #67 (3/4 inch) for concrete mix, #411 (mix of #4 and fines) for road base, and #2 (2-3 inch) for railroad ballast and heavy drainage. Your supplier can recommend the right grade for your project.

When ordering, add 5-10% extra for compaction and waste. Aggregate compacts 10-15% when rolled, so 10 cubic yards loose will settle to about 8.5-9 cubic yards in place. If your supplier quotes loose volume, factor that in.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: How much does a cubic yard of aggregate weigh?**

A: It depends on the type. Crushed stone (#57) weighs about 2,700 lbs (1.35 tons) per cubic yard. Crusher run (road base) weighs about 2,970 lbs (1.49 tons). Pea gravel weighs about 2,590 lbs (1.30 tons). Riprap weighs about 2,430 lbs (1.22 tons). These are loose weights; compacted weights are 10-15% higher.

**Q: What is the difference between crushed stone and gravel?**

A: Crushed stone is quarried rock that is mechanically broken and screened to specific sizes. It has angular faces that interlock well for structural base. Gravel is naturally rounded stone from rivers or glacial deposits. Gravel drains better but does not compact as tightly as crushed stone.

**Q: How deep should a gravel driveway base be?**

A: A gravel driveway needs 4-6 inches of base material (crusher run or #57 stone) over compacted subgrade. For heavy vehicles, go 6-8 inches. The base should be compacted in 2-3 inch lifts. Top with 1-2 inches of surface gravel (#8 or pea gravel) for a finished look.

**Q: How many tons of aggregate do I need for 100 square feet?**

A: At 4 inches deep with crushed stone, 100 sq ft needs about 1.67 tons. At 6 inches deep, it is about 2.5 tons. The formula: (area x depth in feet x density) / 2000. For a quick estimate, figure about 0.5 tons per 100 sq ft per inch of depth for crushed stone.

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Source: https://vastcalc.com/calculators/construction/aggregate
Category: Construction
Last updated: 2026-04-08